Community of Madrid set for first international against Andalusia

Posters...one of many around Madrid

Two Spanish autonomous communities go head to head at Rayo Vallecano’s Vallecas ground on Friday night with the Community of Madrid making their non-FIFA debut against Andalusia in a game that will feature plenty of La Liga stars. 

The Federación de Fútbol de Madrid are celebrating their centenary year and as a result have created a representative time, much like Catalonia and the Basque Country have, to take on the Andalusians in a one-off friendly.

Luis Aragonés, manager of the victorious Spanish side at the 2008 European Championships, will take charge of the hosts alongside FFM technical secretary Fernando Zambrano. The pair named their squad after the final round of La Liga games last weekend and have a strong group of players at their disposal.

Bosses...Aragonés and Zambrano announce the squad

They also had to take into consideration which players have been chosen by Vicente Del Bosque to represent Spain in the upcoming friendlies and the Confederations Cup- this means Fernando Torres and Iker Casillas miss out. 

Atlético Madrid player Juanfran, part of the Euro 2012 Spain squad, has been named as one of the defenders alongside former teammate Álvaro Domínguez who is currently at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Alejandro Arribas is also expected to feature in the back 4 with Rayo Vallecano stopper David Cobeño set to share the number one jersey with the now retied Ricardo. 

Icon...ex Real Madrid man Guti

Ex-Real Madrid favourite Guti will likely start the game in midfield along with Víctor Pérez of Vallodolid. Julio Álvarez, who has caps for Venezuela, could also feature. Deportivo La Coruña icon Riki top-scored for the recently relegated club with 13 goals and will be favourite to start in attack.

The number of recognisable names in the home squad is greatly overshadowed by Andalusia’s, however. Manager Adolfo Adana oversaw a 4-1 thrashing of Zambia in his first game way back in 2007 and the big names in his squad suggests goals will not be hard to come by again on Friday. 

Wait...it's been 6 years since Andalusia last played

Joaquín, one of the stars of Málaga’s fine Champions League run last term, heads the list of skilled attackers with Sporting Lisbon wide-man Diego Capel and Sevilla forward José Antonio Reyes all called up. With 69 caps for Spain Carlos Marchena will be an experienced head in defence - Javi Varas, who spent last season with Celta Vigo, is set to start in goal. 

The FFM are hoping for a sell-out at the Vallecas with a kick-off scheduled for 20:00 local time (19:00 UK). The organisers have also stressed that the visiting team could suffer some withdrawals but they are not expected any. Perhaps some would help the seemingly weaker hosts in what could prove an intriguing start to Madrid’s representative football team.